Every hair type has its own shampoo! Which one should you choose if you have oily hair? We'll tell you everything. 

While they can cause some aesthetic discomfort, oily hair is far from being a foregone conclusion. There are solutions to address the problem and allow the scalp to regain an effective feeling and appearance of freshness... This already starts with proper care, which involves choosing the ideal shampoo for oily hair. 

Understanding Oily Hair

Oily hair is the result of excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands of the scalp. Sebum is an oily substance naturally produced by the body to lubricate and protect the skin and hair. A certain level of sebum is essential to keep the hair and scalp healthy, but excessive production can lead to oily hair and a shiny appearance that can bother more than one person. 

It is important to know that several factors can contribute to making hair oily:

Genetics: Sebum production is influenced by genetics, so some people may be more predisposed to having oily hair than others.

Hair hygiene: Insufficient or excessive washing can affect the sebum balance. If you wash your hair too frequently, it can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum to compensate for the frequent cleaning. On the other hand, not washing your hair regularly can lead to an excessive accumulation of sebum and dirt on the scalp.

Hormones: Hormones also play an important role in sebum production. For example, during adolescence, hormonal fluctuations can lead to an increase in production and cause excess sebum, which can make hair oilier.

Stress: Stress can influence hormone levels and potentially increase the risk of excess sebum.

Temperature and climate: Climatic conditions can also play a role in sebum production. For example, heat and humidity can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum.

The use of unsuitable hair products: The use of hair products containing heavy ingredients or silicones can weigh hair down and promote the accumulation of sebum, hence the importance of choosing suitable masks and shampoos for hair.

Excessive touching: Frequently handling or touching your hair can transfer oil from your hands to your hair, making it oilier.

Hair dyeing: yes, colored hair can be more prone to excess sebum. Hair damaged by the chemical process of dyeing can produce sebum excessively to regulate the possible aggression felt at the scalp level. If you want to dye your hair with oily-prone hair, opt for a natural dye. 

How to regulate sebum production and avoid oily hair?

As we said above; oily hair is not a foregone conclusion and if you really want to get rid of it there are solutions to incorporate into your hair routine to control excess sebum. 

1 - Space out hair washes: yes, contrary to what one might be tempted to do, you must absolutely space out hair washing to avoid overstimulating the sebaceous glands and reduce sebum production. The hardest part is starting... You will have to live with oily hair for a while before the cycle regulates and shampoos can be spaced out without problems. During this latency period you can style your hair to camouflage the greasy appearance of the hair, many tutorials are available online. 

2 - Use lukewarm or cold water for washing: Hot water can stimulate sebum production, so opt for a lukewarm or even completely cold temperature if you dare, when washing your hair. Cold water will also have the effect of tightening the cuticles and giving hair a shiny appearance.

3 - Eat a balanced diet and stay well hydrated: A balanced diet and good hydration can have a positive impact on the health of your hair. Make sure to consume enough fruits, vegetables, and water to maintain hormonal balance and overall health.

4- Do scalp scrubs: a scrub or exfoliation is a beauty technique that should not be neglected for the scalp. We rarely think about it, even if it is talked about more and more in the beauty world, scalp exfoliation is an excellent way to cleanse greasy roots and allow the scalp to regain a good base.

5 - do purifying masks: oily hair requires maintenance, that's a fact. In addition to scrubs, do not hesitate to regularly apply purifying masks to the scalp because this can help eliminate excess sebum, impurities, hair product residues, and dirt that accumulate on the scalp and hair. These masks help clear the hair follicles of any accumulation that can clog pores, stimulate sebum production, and give hair that greasy and heavy appearance. For even more effectiveness, do not hesitate to follow the mask with a hair serum that will act directly on the hair follicles. 

How to choose and use the best shampoo for oily hair? 

When you have oily hair, it is preferable to choose a shampoo specially formulated to regulate sebum production and eliminate excess oil without excessively drying out your hair or scalp. Here are some features to look for when choosing a shampoo for oily-prone hair:

Sulfate-free formula: whether it is a solid or liquid shampoo, always look for a sulfate-free formula. Sulfates can be too aggressive and remove the natural oils from the scalp, thus leading to increased sebum production to compensate! 

Balancing formula: Look for a gentle shampoo that balances sebum and soothes the scalp. Some shampoos contain ingredients like witch hazel, green clay, sage, or lemon, which can help regulate sebum production. If you are in the mood, you can even create your homemade shampoo with a neutral base and essential oils. 

 Solid shampoo or powder shampoo: to treat the problem of oily hair, nothing beats a shampoo formulated with natural ingredients. You will easily find 100% shampoos on the solid and powder side. Furthermore, Ayurvedic powder shampoo (Guarana or Rhassoul) is particularly recommended to cleanse the oily scalp. 

As for good shampooing practice, simply make sure to massage the scalp rather than rubbing it with the shampoo and always pay close attention to removing all product residues. Even if you have to rinse the strands several times. 

> We also guide you for a good oily skin face routine.  

Make your homemade shampoo and mask special for oily hair 

 To avoid getting overwhelmed in the shampoo aisle of the supermarket or parapharmacy, we offer you an ideal recipe for oily hair shampoo and the purifying mask that goes with it. 

Homemade shampoo recipe for oily hair

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel
• 1/4 cup of unscented liquid Castile soap (or another gentle liquid soap without sulfates)
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 10 drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil - optional (for its purifying properties)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the aloe vera gel, liquid Castile soap, and apple cider vinegar. The aloe vera gel will help to hydrate and soothe the scalp, while the Castile soap will gently cleanse the hair and scalp without depriving them of their natural oils.

2. If you decide to use essential oils, add 10 drops of lemon or tea tree essential oil to the mixture. Lemon and tea tree essential oils are known for their purifying and antibacterial properties, which can be beneficial for oily hair.

3. Mix all the ingredients well until you get a homogeneous consistency.

4. Transfer the homemade shampoo into a clean empty shampoo bottle.

5. Apply a small amount of shampoo to your wet hair and gently massage your scalp to lather the shampoo.

6. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until all shampoo residues are removed.

7. You can follow with a light conditioner on the ends and lengths if necessary.

Store the homemade shampoo in a cool, dry place. Since it contains no preservatives, it is preferable to prepare small quantities for short-term use.

Homemade purifying mask recipe for oily hair 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of green (or white) clay powder
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of water (or more if necessary to get a paste consistency)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the green clay with the apple cider vinegar until you get a smooth paste. Apple cider vinegar helps balance the pH of the scalp and eliminate excess oil.

2. Gradually add water to the paste until it reaches a thick and homogeneous mask consistency.

3. Apply the mask to your scalp and hair avoiding the ends. Gently massage your scalp to help stimulate blood circulation.

4. Leave the mask on for about 15 to 20 minutes. Do not let the mask dry completely, as this can dry out the hair. You can also cover your hair with a shower cap or a warm towel to promote the mask's effectiveness.

5. Carefully rinse the mask with lukewarm water until all the paste is removed.

6. Proceed with the usual washing of your hair using a gentle shampoo suitable for oily hair.

7. Use this mask once a week or every two weeks, depending on your needs.